Other Memories Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, FMF, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA Apr 1944 Sgt, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA “607” Jul 1944 Sgt, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA “651; 24-30, AOL; 31 only PAL AOH” Company A 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, FMF, In the Field Oct 1944 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field “737” Jan 1945 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field “737; 10-31; temp d conn CG, 5thMarDiv, 10, emb abd LST#756 at Kawaihae, Hawaii, T.H. and sailed 11 therefrom; 17, disemb and emb abd USS HANSFORD at Lahaina Roads, Maui, T.H. and 18, sailed therefrom.” Feb 1945 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands) “737; 19, disemb at Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands; 19-28, participated in the battle of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands” Mar 1945 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands) “272240; 737; 1-7, participated in the battle of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands; 7, KIA, Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands”
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. The criteria were announced in a War Department circular dated February 22, 1932, and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate, Army Wound Ribbon, or were authorized to wear Wound Chevrons subsequent to April 5, 1917 MoreHide
Comments
Killed in Action, 07 March 1945, during offensive operations against Imperial Japanese Forces on Iwo Jima Island, Bonin 'Volcano' Islands.
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to
Assault Troops of the Fifth Amphibious Corps, Reinforced
United States Fleet Ma... THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to
Assault Troops of the Fifth Amphibious Corps, Reinforced
United States Fleet Marine Force
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For extraordinary heroism in action during the seizure of enemy Japanese-held Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
February 19 to 28, 1945. Landing against resistance which rapidly increased in fury as the Japanese
pounded the beaches with artillery, rocket and mortar fire, the Assault Troops of the FIFTH Amphibious
Corps inched ahead through shifting black volcanic sands, over heavily mined terrain, toward a garrison
of jagged cliffs, pillboxes and blockhouses commanding all approaches. Often driven back with terrific
losses in fierce hand-to-hand combat, the Assault Troops repeatedly hurled back the enemy's counterattacks
to regain and hold lost positions, and continued the unrelenting drive to high ground and Motoyama
Airfield No.1, captured by the end of the second day. By their individual acts of heroism and their
unfailing teamwork, these gallant officers and men fought against their own battle-fatigue and shock
to advance in the face of the enemy's fanatical resistance; they charged each strongpoint, one by one,
blasting out the hidden Japanese troops or sealing them in; within four days they had occupied the southern
part of Motoyama Airfield No. 2; simultaneously they stormed the steep slopes of Mount Suribachi to
raise the United States Flag; and they seized the strongly defended hills to silence guns commanding
the beaches and insure the conquest of Iwo Jima, a vital inner defense of the Japanese Empire."
For the President,
John L. Sullivan
Secretary of the Navy
MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description
Iwo Jima Island, Bonin 'Volcano' Islands.
Criteria
The World War II Victory Medal commemorates military service during the Second World War.
Description Under the provisions of ALNAV #353-45, dated 22 October 1945, you are eligible for the World War II Victory Medal and are authorized to wear the World War II Victory Ribbon, by reason of having served... Under the provisions of ALNAV #353-45, dated 22 October 1945, you are eligible for the World War II Victory Medal and are authorized to wear the World War II Victory Ribbon, by reason of having served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy or Coast Guard, at any time during the period beginning 7 December 1941 and ending with 31 December 1946. MoreHide
Description The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945), or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States Armed Forces fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the JapaneThe Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945), or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States Armed Forces fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. The American invasion had the goal of capturing the entire island, including its three airfields (including South Field and Central Field), to provide a staging area for attacks on the Japanese main islands. This five-week battle comprised some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the War in the Pacific of World War II.
After the heavy losses incurred in the battle, the strategic value of the island became controversial. It was useless to the U.S. Army as a staging base and useless to the U.S. Navy as a fleet base. However, Navy SEABEES rebuilt the landing strips, which were used as emergency landing strips for USAAF B-29s.
The Imperial Japanese Army positions on the island were heavily fortified, with a dense network of bunkers, hidden artillery positions, and 18 km (11 mi) of underground tunnels. The Americans on the ground were supported by extensive naval artillery and complete air supremacy over Iwo Jima from the beginning of the battle by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators.
Iwo Jima was the only battle by the U.S. Marine Corps in which the Japanese combat deaths were thrice those of the Americans throughout the battle. Of the 22,000 Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima at the beginning of the battle, only 216 were taken prisoner, some of whom were captured because they had been knocked unconscious or otherwise disabled. The majority of the remainder were killed in action, although it has been estimated that as many as 3,000 continued to resist within the various cave systems for many days afterwards, eventually succumbing to their injuries or surrendering weeks later.
Despite the bloody fighting and severe casualties on both sides, the Japanese defeat was assured from the start. Overwhelming American superiority in arms and numbers as well as complete control of air power — coupled with the impossibility of Japanese retreat or reinforcement — permitted no plausible circumstance in which the Americans could have lost the battle.
The battle was immortalized by Joe Rosenthal's photograph of the raising of the U.S. flag on top of the 166 m (545 ft) Mount Suribachi by five U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy battlefield Hospital Corpsman. The photograph records the second flag-raising on the mountain, both of which took place on the fifth day of the 35-day battle. Rosenthal's photograph promptly became an indelible icon — of that battle, of that war in the Pacific, and of the Marine Corps itself — and has been widely reproduced.... More
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Description After New Georgia, the next major operation was an invasion of the island of Bougainville, which was approached by landings at Mono and Stirling in the Treasury Islands on October 25-27, 1943. A MarinAfter New Georgia, the next major operation was an invasion of the island of Bougainville, which was approached by landings at Mono and Stirling in the Treasury Islands on October 25-27, 1943. A Marine division landed on the west coast of Bougainville at Empress Augusta Bay on November 1, 1943. The Marines were followed within the month by an Army division and replaced in the next month by another Army division.
It was late November before the beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay was secure. This beachhead was all that was needed, and no attempt was made to capture the entire island. Allied planes neutralized enemy airfields in the northern part of the island, and the Allied command made use of its naval and air superiority to contain the Japanese garrison on Bougainville and cut its supply line to Rabaul by occupying the Green Islands (February 14, 1944).
Despite these measures, the Japanese maintained pressure against the beachhead, mounting an especially heavy but unsuccessful counterattack as late as March 1944. Success at Bougainville isolated all Japanese forces left in the Solomons. The Japanese sustained comparatively heavy air and naval losses during the campaign, which further crippled the Japanese Combined Fleet and had a vital effect on the balance of naval power in the Central Pacific.... More
Other Memories Company E, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Amphibious Corps Pacific Fleet, Camp Elliott, San Diego, CA Apr 1942 Sgt, Co E, 2ndMarRdrBn, ACPF, Camp Elliott, San Diego, CA “19May39; 16, jdfr Co M, 3rdBn, 6thMar, 2dMarDiv, FMF, Camp Elliott, San Diego, CA” Company E, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Amphibious Corps Jul 1942 Sgt, Co E, 2ndMarRdrBn, 1st MAC “1-3, temp d in accordance with instruction fr CinCPac in Midway Islands Area, Pac; 4, arr & disem fr USS MC KEAN in Pearl Harbor, T.H.; 4-31, Camp Catlin, Pearl Harbor, T.H.” Oct 1942 Sgt, Co E, 2ndMarRdrBn, 1st MAC (Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides) “1-31, at Camp Gung-Ho” Jan 1943 Sgt, Co E, 2ndMarRdrBn, 1st MAC (Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides) Company H, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment Apr 1943 Sgt Co H, 2ndMarRdrBn, 1stMarRdrRegt (Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides) Jul 1943 Sgt, Co H, 2ndMarRdrBn, 1stMarRdrRegt (Noumea, New Caledonia) Company H, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, 2nd Marine Raider Regiment (Provisional) Oct 1943 Sgt, Co H, 2ndMarRdrBn, 2ndMarRdrRegt (PROV) (Noumea, New Caledonia & Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands) Company H, 2nd Raider Battalion, 1st Marine Raider Regiment, FMF, San Diego Area Jan 1944 Sgt, Co H, 2ndRdrBn, 1stMarRdrRegt (Bougainville, Solomon Islands) “26, to CG, FMF, San Diego Area”
Criteria The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. ... The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members in the Regular Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve to recognize good behavior and faithful service in the U.S. Marine Corps while on active duty for a specified period of time. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description
Bougainville Island, British Solomon Islands
Description The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943 on and aThe Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II. It was the first major offensive by Allied forces against the Empire of Japan.
On 7 August 1942, Allied forces, predominantly American, landed on the islands of Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida in the southern Solomon Islands with the objective of denying their use by the Japanese to threaten the supply and communication routes between the US, Australia, and New Zealand. The Allies also intended to use Guadalcanal and Tulagi as bases to support a campaign to eventually capture or neutralize the major Japanese base at Rabaul on New Britain. The Allies overwhelmed the outnumbered Japanese defenders, who had occupied the islands since May 1942, and captured Tulagi and Florida, as well as an airfield (later named Henderson Field) that was under construction on Guadalcanal. Powerful US naval forces supported the landings.
Surprised by the Allied offensive, the Japanese made several attempts between August and November 1942 to retake Henderson Field. Three major land battles, seven large naval battles (five nighttime surface actions and two carrier battles), and continual, almost daily aerial battles culminated in the decisive Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in early November 1942, in which the last Japanese attempt to bombard Henderson Field from the sea and land with enough troops to retake it was defeated. In December 1942, the Japanese abandoned further efforts to retake Guadalcanal and evacuated their remaining forces by 7 February 1943 in the face of an offensive by the US Army's XIV Corps, conceding the island to the Allies.
The Guadalcanal campaign was a significant strategic combined arms victory by Allied forces over the Japanese in the Pacific theatre. The Japanese had reached the high-water mark of their conquests in the Pacific, and Guadalcanal marked the transition by the Allies from defensive operations to the strategic offensive in that theatre and the beginning of offensive operations, including the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and Central Pacific campaigns, that resulted in Japan's eventual surrender and the end of World War II.... More
Criteria The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in th... The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. (World War II and Korea War service rate one ribbon for each period only) MoreHide
Description Combat Action Ribbon Eligibility for the Navy version (Navy-Marine Corps 1969, retroactive from December 7, 1941). Specifically; Dec. 7, 1941 to Apr. 14, 1946 (World War II) an award of only once per ... Combat Action Ribbon Eligibility for the Navy version (Navy-Marine Corps 1969, retroactive from December 7, 1941). Specifically; Dec. 7, 1941 to Apr. 14, 1946 (World War II) an award of only once per period. MoreHide
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
to the
FIRST MARINE DIVISION
For service as follows:
Under command of Major General Alexander A. Vandergrift... The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
to the
FIRST MARINE DIVISION
For service as follows:
Under command of Major General Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC Citation: "The officers and enlisted men of the First Marine Division, Reinforced, from August 7 to December 9, 1942, demonstrated outstanding gallantry and determination in successfully executing forced landings assaults against a number of strongly defended Japanese positions on Tulagi, Gavutu, Tanambogo, Florida and Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands, completely routing all the enemy forces and seizing a most valuable base and airfield within the enemy zone of operations in the South Pacific Ocean. During the above period this Reinforced Division not only held their important strategic positions despite determined and repeated Japanese naval, air and land attacks, but by a series of offensive operations against strong enemy resistance drove the Japanese from the proximity of the airfield and inflicted great losses on them by land and air attacks. The courage and determination displayed in these operations were of an inspiring order."
For the President,
Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy
MoreHide
Criteria The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, ... The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty status for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description
Served with Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade (Provisional), Iceland
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description
Guadalcanal Island, British Solomon Islands
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Description
Jun 1942, arrived in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the 2nd Raider Battalion, FMF, In the Field, Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii.
Criteria The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine ... The American Defense Service Medal was awarded for service in the Armed Forces between September 8, 1939, and December 7, 1941. Army members had to serve 12 months to be eligible, but Navy and Marine Corps members were eligible based on any length of service. MoreHide
Description
American Defense Service Medal - Awarded to all persons in the naval service on active duty during the period 08 Sep 1939 to 07 Dec 1941, inclusive.
Other Memories Recruit Depot Detachment, Recruit Depot, Base Troops, Marine Corps Base, San Diego, CA May 1939 Pvt, RDepDet, RDep, BTrs, MCB, Parris Island, CA “19May39; 21, jdfr WRD Denver, Colo.” Jun 1939 Pvt, RDepDet, RDep, BTrs, MCB, Parris Island, CA Jul 1939 Pvt, RDepDet, RDep, BTrs, MCB, Parris Island, CA “21, to 2dChemCo, 2dMarBrig, FMF, Post”
Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, FMF, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
Apr 1944 Sgt, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA “607”
Jul 1944 Sgt, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA “651; 24-30, AOL; 31 only PAL AOH”
Company A 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, FMF, In the Field
Oct 1944 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field “737”
Jan 1945 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field “737; 10-31; temp d conn CG, 5thMarDiv, 10, emb abd LST#756 at Kawaihae, Hawaii, T.H. and sailed 11 therefrom; 17, disemb and emb abd USS HANSFORD at Lahaina Roads, Maui, T.H. and 18, sailed therefrom.”
Feb 1945 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands) “737; 19, disemb at Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands; 19-28, participated in the battle of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands”
Mar 1945 Cpl, Co A, 1stBn, 27thMar, 5thMarDiv, FMF, In the Field (Iwo Jima, Bonin Islands) “272240; 737; 1-7, participated in the battle of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands; 7, KIA, Iwo Jima Island, Volcano Islands”